What is smart growth?

Smart growth is a collection of land use and development principles that aim to enhance our quality of life, preserve the natural environment, and save money over time. Smart growth principles ensure that growth is fiscally, environmentally and socially responsible and recognizes the connections between development and quality of life. Smart growth enhances and completes communities by placing priority on infill, redevelopment, and green space protection.

Smart Growth Principles here.

Our Mission

Smart Growth BC is a non-governmental organization devoted to fiscally, socially and environmentally responsible land use and development. We work throughout the province with community groups, businesses, developers, planners, municipalities and the public to create more livable communities in British Columbia.

Our Roots

Smart Growth BC was created as a joint project of the University of Victoria Eco-Research Chair of Environmental Law and Policy and West Coast Environmental Law Association. The smart growth project aimed to nurture and mobilize a growing citizen movement addressing growth and sprawl issues around the province, and to provide sound alternative policy solutions to these issues. Smart Growth BC was incorporated as an independent non-profit society in December 1999, and received federal charitable status in January 2002.